{"title":"Dustin Thao","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDustin Thao\u003c\/strong\u003e crafts heartfelt children's stories that explore themes of friendship, identity, and belonging. Their books often feature diverse characters navigating emotional challenges with warmth and humour, making them relatable and inspiring for young readers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eExpect beautifully told tales like \u003cem\u003eWhen Haru Was Here\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eYou've Found Oliver\u003c\/em\u003e, where gentle storytelling meets thoughtful reflection, inviting children to connect deeply with the characters' journeys.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"when-haru-was-here-by-dustin-thao-9781761264511","title":"When Haru Was Here","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA novel about loneliness, complicated friendships, and what it means to let go by the bestselling author of \u003cem\u003eYou've Reached Sam\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAfter the death of his best friend, Eric Ly creates imaginary scenarios in his head to deal with his grief. Until one of them becomes real and Haru Tanala, a boy he met last summer in Japan, comes back into his life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn a magical turn of events, Eric suddenly has someone to connect with, making him feel less alone in the world. But as they spend more and more time together, he begins to question what is real. When he starts losing control of the very thing that is holding him together, Eric must finally confront his reality.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eEven if it means losing Haru forever.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePraise for \u003cem\u003eWhen Haru Was Here\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eAnother heart-wrenching, stunning exploration of love and loss from Dustin Thao... Filled with raw emotions, relatable moments, and a touch of enchantment, prepare to have your heart broken and mended by the time the story is over.\u003c\/em\u003e — ALEX ASTER\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cem\u003eWhen Haru Was Here\u003c\/em\u003e is a mind-bending, gut-punching, heart-healing portrait of grief. It's magical how Dustin Thao can make you fall in love with having your heart broken.\u003c\/em\u003e — ADAM SILVERA\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"The Distribution and Logistics Company (TDLC)","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45883889090796,"sku":"9781761264511","price":24.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/when-haru-was-here.png?v=1730945531"},{"product_id":"youve-found-oliver-by-dustin-thao-9781761563492","title":"You've Found Oliver","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI've missed you every day since you left. But I'm sure you already knew that. It's time to let you go now. I'll miss you all the time, Sam.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIt's been a year since his best friend, Sam, died. Even though Oliver knows he won't get a response, he can't stop texting Sam's number, especially as the anniversary of his death approaches.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThen one day he accidentally hits the call button, and someone picks up.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe voice on the other end isn't Sam. Sam's number was reassigned and a stranger has been receiving Oliver's private and vulnerable messages for months. But Ben, a college student in Seattle, won't remain a stranger for long. Oliver knows he should stop communicating now that he knows the truth - but he can't get Ben out of his head.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eA captivating and gorgeously written story about longing, destiny, and the infinite possibilities, and versions, of love. No one writes romance like Dustin Thao and this one is a beauty.\u003c\/em\u003e - Kathleen Glasgow, #1 bestselling author of \u003cem\u003eGirl in Pieces\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"The Distribution and Logistics Company (TDLC)","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46762564223212,"sku":"9781761563492","price":26.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/f6238e943b547dc174bf09018712a18f.jpg?v=1756248534"},{"product_id":"youve-reached-sam-by-dustin-thao-9781761261190","title":"You've Reached Sam","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHow do you move forward when everything you love is on the line?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eA heartfelt novel about love and loss and what it means to say goodbye.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSeventeen-year-old Julie Clarke has her future all planned out – move out of her small town with her boyfriend, Sam; attend college in the city; spend a summer in Japan.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBut then Sam dies. And everything changes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHeartbroken, Julie skips his funeral, throws out his belongings, and tries everything to forget him. But a message Sam left behind in her yearbook forces memories to return. Desperate to hear him one more time, Julie calls Sam's cell phone just to listen to his voicemail recording.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAnd Sam picks up the phone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe connection is temporary. But hearing Sam's voice makes Julie fall for him all over again, and, with each call, it becomes harder to let him go.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eWhat would you do if you have a second chance at goodbye?\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePraise for \u003cem\u003eYou've Reached Sam\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eYou've Reached Sam\u003c\/em\u003e is a hauntingly remarkable debut. Dustin Thao gently weaves grief, regret, second chances, and the honestly beautiful moments we carry from a first love. Every tear you shed reading this book will be worth it. - Julian Winters, award-winning author of \u003cem\u003eRunning with Lions\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIf you like your contemporaries with a tiny piece of magic, this emotional YA is perfect for you. - BUZZFEED\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Macmillan Publishers New Zealand Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48244905869548,"sku":"9781761261190","price":29.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9781761261190-you-ve-reached-sam-1.jpg?v=1788020819"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.live\/collections\/dustin-thao.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}